Room temperature control vent



April 12, 1949. P. 1.. MIKE SKA 2,467,216

ROOM TEMPERATURE CONTROL VENT Filed Aug. 2, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 G'O T I [J7 r enfur' Peler' La urrcncc 1? ikeska April 12, 1949.

P. L. MIKESKA ROOM TEMPERATURE CONTROL VENT Filed Aug. 2, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 [DVEHZZJF PcZerLawremf/Vz'keslm Patented Apr. 12, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROOM TEMPERATURE CONTROL VENT Peter Lawrence Mikeska, Chicago, Ill., assignor to The Dole Valve Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application August 2, 1946, Serial No. 688,105

10 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in room temperature control vents for steam radiator valves of the type which provides for controlled venting of air from a steam radiator, responsive to the existing room temperature.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a radiator air venting valve of compact construction adapted for convenient manual adjustment.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described having an air venting valve especially adapted for accurat and certain seating.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a device of the character described an air venting valve especially designed to seat accurately and firmly without having a tendency to stick to the seat and thus impede the opening of the vent.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a device of the character described a venting valve mounted in such a manner that. it is free to float universally and adjust itself to the valve seat.

Another object of th invention is to provide a venting valve that when seated seats with substantially a line contact.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be alluded to hereinafter or will become apparent from a perusal of the specification, wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated and described.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the complet device.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the same device.

Figure 3 is a central vertical section on an enlarged scale showing the operative parts of the device.

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the valve shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional view approximately on the staggered line V-V of Figure 3 just beneath the tops of hood l2 and casing 45.

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail view in section of the venting valve showing it open to vent air.

Figure '7 is a sectional view similar to Figure 6 but showing the air venting valve seated; and

Figure 8 is a side elevation showing the thermostatic element and valve unit removed from the housing therefor.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein a preferred form of the invention is illustrated, the complete device will include an air valve body [0 and the customary float valve within the body (not shown) which may be operated upon the entrance of water to close the valve to prevent discharge of water. The construction of the valve body and float valve do not constitute a part of this invention hence require no detailed description. It will suflice for present purposes to indicate that air to be vented from the radiator will enter the valve through the nipple l l which connects the unit to the radiator, then will pass through the valve body In and upwardly into a hood l2 which is secured by screw 9 to the top of the valve body in in sealed relation therewith to provide a chamber l3 through which air may flow. A drain tube l4 mounted for rotation within the nipple ll provides means for draining water from the valve body ID.

The hood I2 is provided with a port [5 in which is out a circular seat IS on which may be seated a cylindrical vent valve l1 having a rounded or ball-shaped end as shown. Upon reference to Figure '7 it will be observed that this vent valve makes substantially a line contact with the valve seat.

A bracket [8 downwardly depending from hood 12 whose lower end is spaced outwardly a short distance from the valve body l0, provides a support on which tomount a U-shaped bimetallic thermostatic element generally indicated as H]. A thin sheet l8 of mica is preferably interposed between the bracket 18 and the thermostat [9.

Between the inner leg of this thermostatic element and the valve body I0 is loosely positioned a sheet 20 of insulating material of any suitable character, adequate to impede heat radiation from the valve body toward the thermostatic element, thus leaving the thermostatic element more nearly subject only to the temperature of the room, as will be herein made more clearly apparent. The lower end of the insulator 20 may be supported upon a bracket i l-extending outwardly from the base of the valve body it).

The thermostatic element l9, being mounted on bracket l8 by means of a screw 22, therefore has its outer end free. On the upper end of the outer leg I secure by means of rivets 23 a bracket 24 which is integral with and depends from a nonrotatable collar. This collar includes an outwardly flared flange 25 which serves as a seat for spiral spring 26, later described, and a reduced portion 21 which is internally threaded as shown, being preferably provided with multiple threads of a steep pitch in order that a small amount of rotation of the adjusting screw 28 may yield a relatively large amount of longitudinal movement of the adjusting screw relatively to the collar 21. For example, somewhat less than one complete revolution of screw 28 will move the collar amply for the present purpose.

Referring particularly to Figures 6 and '7, it will be noted that the adjusting screw 28 has a hollow body in which is provided the chamber 29 through which the outer end of the valve stem 35 extends, while through the other chamber 3| the enlarged end of the vent valve l1 extends. A web 32 across the hollow body of the adjusting screw provides a passage 33 through which valve stem 30 extends and a sharp circular shoulder 34 on which the rounded outer end of the vent valve H may rest, being urged against that shoulder at all times by a weak spring 26.

A spring retaining washer 35, suitably grooved or flanged at 36 for centering and retaining the spring 25, is mounted at the outer end of the valve stem 38 and is retained in position thereon in any suitable manner, for example 'by a C- washer 31 which engages flat portions recessed into the valve stem, inside of a washer-retaining head 38. Thus it will be seen that the valve I1 is always urged outwardly by the light spring 26 against the circular shoulder 34, but because the spring 26 is light, and the outer end of the valve stem 30 is free to rock relatively to the circular seat 34 it Will be perceived that the operating end of the valve I! has a universal motion which enables it to seat accurately upon the vent valve seat It.

A dial having a generally cup-shaped form 39 is secured to the conical face of the adjusting screw 28 in any suitable manner and is preferably made adjustable angularly relatively to the adjusting screw 28. To do this I provide a slot 40 in the dial and a set screw 4! threaded into the screw 28, which permits of the adjustment of the dial relatively to the screw. The circular shoulder 42 on the adjusting screw serves to keep the dial properly centered. An outer flange 43 on the dial provides a position or space on which may be printed indicia indicating various desirable adjustments, such as Cool, Medium, and Warm. For example I have indicated in Figure 8 that the area on the dial indicated by the letter C should be rotated so that it may be observed through the top opening 44 in the casing 45 whenever it is desired that the room be kept at a cool temperature. Similarly, the area on the dial indicated by the letter M in Figure 8 should be rotated so that it is visible through opening 44 if a medium temperature is desired, while if a warm temperature is desired the area indicated by W should be rotated for exposure through opening 44.

The direction of the threads provided on the collar 21 and the adjusting screw 28 are so related to these markings that when the dial is rotated from Medium to 6001 the adjusting screw 28 will move toward the left from the collar 21, that is, it will back out of the collar. Opposite rotation of the dial toward Warm will cause the screw 28 to advance into the collar 21. Under this latter condition the seating end of the valve I"! will obviously be closer to the outer leg of the thermostatic element and hence will require a higher room temperature to seat the vent valve. Until such a higher temperature is obtained, more air may escape from the radiator, consequently more steam may enter the radiator until the air vent valve is closed.

When the dial is set in the Cool position, after having functioned at the Med" or "Warm position, the seating end of the vent valve I"! will reach the valve seat I6 and seat thereon with considerable force; and, as the room temperature drops, this force is lowered and finally the valve I1 is alternately opened and closed so as to alternately permit air venting and shut-01f as is room temperature varies. This permits steam to enter the radiator or its admission to radiator is opposed; thus, a room temperature corresponding to the C001 dial-setting is maintained.

To prevent inadvertent rotation of the dial beyond proper limits I provide on flange 43 downwardly extending projections 45 and 4? which are so positioned as to strike against a downward- 1y depending bracket 48 which is provided on the collar 21 for. that purpose. These projections therefore limit the rotation of the dial toward Cool or toward Warm. The slot 48 and set screw 4! permit adjustment of the dial relatively to the adjusting screw 28, hence the vent control action of the valve may readily be adjusted to coordinate properly with the thermal response of the thermostat.

In order to assist in holding the dial in any desired adjusted position I provide a coil spring 49 surrounding the collar 2'! and seated against a washer 50 which backs up against the enlarged end of the adjusting screw 28.

Referring now to the casing 45, which has a number of features deserving special attention, it will be noted that this casing may readily be secured to a bracket 5| extending from the hood l2 by means of a set screw 52, but that when this set screw is removed the casing 45 may readily be slid upwardly off of the entire mechanism. As indicated in the sectional view of Figure 5 I provide properly shaped grooves 53', of the same shape on opposite sides of the casing, for vertical sliding cooperation with projections 54 formed on the flanged base of the hood I2 and a similar pair of projections 55 which are formed on the bottom plate 56 secured to the bottom of the valve body l0. Thus the casing 45, which may be a cast or molded product, preferably a plastic molded product, is always positioned accurately relative to the valve body. Also, a continuous vertical groove such as 51, and another one 58 at the opposite side of the casing, are provided for sliding downwardly over the insulating plate 20, thus providing a reasonably tight seal to prevent the passage of heated air from the valve body H] past the insulator 20, in a direction toward the thermostatic element l9.

As seen in Figure 1, I provide in casing 45 a plurality of vertically extending apertures 59 adjoining the position of the valve body, for cooling the same.

As seen in Figs. 1, 2 and 5, I provide ample space within the casing 45 for air to enter at the bottom of the casing near the lower end of the thermostat and to flow upwardly through the casing past the thermostatic element [9 and outwardly through the top aperture 44 and the side apertures such as 60. Thus room air may circulate past the thermostatic element and cause it to be responsive to the room temperature.

Vertically extending ribs 6| I preferably are formed on the inner surface of the casing adjoining the position occupied by the dial flange 43 to cooperate with the dial in opposing any substantial air flow from the top of the housing or the bonnet I2 toward the upper end of the thermostat.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been described herein, however, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction herein shown, but

that it comprehends such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having shown and described my invention, I claim:

1. A radiator vent valve comprising a housing connectible with a radiator and having a chamber of relatively smaller diameter upon the upper end thereof and provided with an air venting port, a U-shaped thermostatic element having the upper end of one leg thereof mounted on the outside of said housing and having an upwardly extending leg portion movable responsive to air temperature outside said housing, a valve for regulating said port and means mounting said valve on said upwardly extending leg of said thermostat, said valve mounting means being positioned between the plane of said movable leg portion and said venting port and including a manually operable dial member for varying the position of the valve on said mounting means, a casing enclosing said housing, thermostat valve and valve mounting means and having an air circulation chamber surrounding said thermostat, and heat insulation means between said housing and thermostat, said casing being adapted to slide down over the housing, thermostat and valve to enclose the same and having vertical grooves on its inner wall surface cooperating with said insulation means to isolate said air circulation chamber from the space in the casing adjoining said housing, said casing having ports facilitating air flow through said air circulation chamber past the thermostat and another port for exosing said dial member for manual actuation.

2. In a radiator vent valve, a housing having a chamber of relatively smaller diameter fixed centrally upon the upper end thereof and provided with an air venting port, a thermostatic element outside said housing having a vertical portion movable relatively to said port responsive to air temperature outside said housing, a hollow support mounted on the movable portion of said thermostatic element, a manually operable member adjustably carried by said support, said support and member being positioned between said vertical portion and said venting port, a valve for seating on said port having a stem extending through said member and support, means on said member normally engaged with a portion of said valve for positively seating the same on said port under the control of said thermostatic element, and a spring connected with said valve stem and carried by said support arranged for rockably retaining said valve in contact with said member, the adjustment of said member upon said support being effective in combination with said spring to vary the position of the valve relatively to said vertical portion of the thermostat to thereby modify the thermostatic control of the valve.

3. In a radiator vent control, a thermostatic element having a portion movable responsive to temperature changes, a threaded sleeve mounted on said portion of the thermostat, a member having threads engaged with the sleeve threads for relative axial adjustment on said sleeve, a spring acting on said sleeve and member for frictionally retaining their relative adjustment, a vent control valve having a stem extending axially through said member and sleeve, a second spring carried by said sleeve normally urging the valve toward its open position, and means on said member normally engaging a portion of the valve effective for positively seating the valve under control of the thermostat opposing the action of said spring, the axial adjustment of said member relatively to said sleeve serving to vary the operative control of the valve by the thermostatic element.

4. In a radiator vent control, a thermostatic element having an elongated portion movable in response to temperature changes, a vent control valve having a stem, and means for adjustably mounting said valve on said thermostat to be wholly supported thereby and bodily movable therewith comprising, a support secured to the movable portion of the thermostat, a spring rockably supporting the valve stem on said support, a member carried by said support and mounted thereon for adjustment relatively thereto lengthwise of the valve stem, and means on said member coacting with said valve for positively seating the valve under control of said thermostat, the adjustment of said member upon said support being effective in combination with said spring to vary the position of the valve relatively to said movable portion to thereby modify the thermostatic control of the valve.

5. In a radiator vent control, a thermostatic element having a portion movable responsive to temperature changes, a vent control valve having a stem, a threaded support member fixed upon and wholly supported on said movable portion, rotatable adjusting means threadedly engaged with said support member and wholly supported thereon, said valve having a seating portion for engagement with the vent to be controlled, cooperating means on said adjusting means and said valve shaped for permitting rocking movement of the valve relatively to said adjusting means and for effecting positive vent closing action of the valve responsive to and under control of said thermostatic element, and a spring means connected with the free end of the valve stem rockably retaining said cooperating means in contact.

6. In a radiator vent control, a thermostatic element having a portion movable responsive to temperature changes, a vent control valve having a stem, a threaded support member fixed upon and wholly supported on said movable portion, rotatable adjusting means threadedly engaged with said support member and wholly supported thereon, said valve having an hemispherically shaped end for engagement with the vent to be controlled, cooperating shoulders on said adjusting means and said valve shaped for permitting rocking movement of the valve relatively to said adjusting means and for efiecting positive vent closing action of the valve responsive to and under control of said thermostatic element, and spring means connected with the free end of the valve stem rockably retaining said shoulders in contact.

7. In a radiator vent control, a thermostatic element having a portion movable responsive to temperature changes, a vent control valve havinga stem, a threaded support member fixed upon and wholly supported on said movabl portion, rotatable adjusting means threadedly engaged with said support member and wholly supported thereon, said valve having an hemispherically shaped end for engagement with the vent to be controlled, cooperating shoulders on said adjusting means and said valve shaped for permitting rocking movement of the valve relatively to said adjusting means and for effecting positive vent closing action of the valve responsive to and under control of said thermostatic element,

and pring means connected with the free end of the valve stem rookablyretaining said shoulders in contact and frictional-1y restraining the valve stem against rotation.

8. In a radiator vent control, a thermostatic element having a portion movable responsive to temperature changes, a threaded support member fixed upon and wholly supported on said movable portion, rotatable adjusting means threadedly engaged with said support member, a valve having a rounded seating portion for engagement with the vent to be controlled and a stem portion extending within said means, cooperating shoulders on said adjusting means and said valve shaped for permitting rocking movement of the valve relatively to said adjusting means and for effecting positive vent closing action of the valve responsive to and under control of said thermostatic element, and spring means connected with the free end of the valve stem rockably retaining said shoulders in contact.

9. In a radiator vent control, a thermostatic element having a portion movable responsive to temperature changes, a threaded support member fixed upon and wholly supported on said movable portion, rotatable adjusting means telescoped over and threadedly engaged with said support member, a valve having a rounded seating portion for engagement with the vent to be controlled and a stem portion, extending within said adjusting means, cooperating means on said adjusting means and said valve allowing rocking movement, of the valve relatively to said adjusting means and for efiecting positive vent closing action of the valve by said adjusting means responsive to and under control of said thermostatic element, and spring means connected with the free end of the valve stem rockably supporting the valve stem end upon said support member.

10. In a radiator vent control, a thermostatic element having a portion movable responsive to temperature changes, a support member fixed upon and wholly supported on said movable portion, a manually operable adjusting member telescopically and adjustably supported on and connected with said support member, a valve havinga seating portion for engagement with the vent to be controlled and having a stem extend ing coaxially of said telescoped members, abutment means on the valve and said adjusting member loosely and rockably supporting the seating end portion of the valve, and weak spring means connected with the valve stem yieldably and rockably supporting a stem end of the valve on one of said members.

PETER LAWRENCE MIKESKA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 158,692 Elder Jan. 12, 1875 897,285 Greenaway Sept. 1, 1908 1,302,938 ldppert May 6, 1919 2,038,435 Lund Apr. 21, 1936 2,323,533 Giesler July 6, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 64,018 Sweden May 4, 1925 

